Thursday, October 31, 2013

A passenger check her cell phone before a flight, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, in Boston. The Federal Aviation Administration issued new guidelines Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, under which passengers will be able to use devices to read, work, play games, watch movies and listen to music, from the time they board to the time they leave the plane. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Airline passengers will be able to use their electronic devices gate-to-gate to read, work, play games, watch movies and listen to music - but not talk on their cellphones - under much-anticipated guidelines issued Thursday by the Federal Aviation Administration.

But passengers shouldn't expect changes to happen right away, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said at a news conference. How fast the change is implemented will vary by airline, he said.

Airlines will have to show the FAA how their airplanes meet the new guidelines and that they've updated their flight-crew training manuals, safety announcements and rules for stowing devices to reflect the new guidelines. Delta and JetBlue said they would immediately submit plans to implement the new policy.

Currently, passengers are required to turn off their smartphones, tablets and other devices once a plane's door closes. They're not supposed to restart them until the planes reach 10,000 feet and the captain gives the go-ahead. Passengers are supposed to turn their devices off again as the plane descends to land and not restart them until the plane is on the ground.

Under the new guidelines, airlines whose planes are properly protected from electronic interference may allow passengers to use the devices during takeoffs, landings and taxiing, the FAA said. Most new airliners and other planes that have been modified so that passengers can use Wifi at higher altitudes are expected to meet the criteria.

But connecting to the Internet to surf, exchange emails, text or download data will still be prohibited below 10,000 feet. Passengers will be told to switch their devices to airplane mode. That means no Words With Friends, the online Scrabble-type game that actor Alec Baldwin was playing on his smartphone in 2011 when he was famously booted off an American Airlines jet for refusing to turn off the device while the plane was parked at the gate. Heavier devices such as laptops will continue to have to be stowed because of concern they might injure someone if they go flying around the cabin.

Airline passenger Ketan Patel, 24, said he's pleased with the change and happy that regulators have debunked the idea that the devices pose a safety problem. "If it isn't a problem, it should be allowed," he said as he stepped into a security line at Reagan National Airport near Washington, a smartphone in his hand.

Another passenger entering the same line, insurance marketing manager Melinda Neuman, 28, of Topeka, Kan., was disappointed that she still won't be able to text.

"If you can't download data, what's the point?" she said. "I don't power it off all the time, anyway."

In-flight cellphone calls will continue to be prohibited. Regulatory authority over phone calls belongs to the Federal Communications Commission, not the FAA. The commission prohibits the calls because of concern that phones on planes flying at hundreds of miles per hour could strain the ability of cellular networks to keep up as the devices keep trying to connect with cellphone towers, interfering with service to users on the ground.

An industry advisory committee created by the FAA to examine the issue recommended last month that the government permit greater use of personal electronic devices.

Pressure has been building on the FAA to ease restrictions on their use. Critics such as Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., say there is no valid safety reason for the prohibitions. Restrictions have also become more difficult to enforce as use of the devices has become ubiquitous. Some studies indicate as many as a third of passengers forget or ignore directions to turn off their devices.

The FAA began restricting passengers' use of electronic devices in 1966 in response to reports of interference with navigation and communications equipment when passengers began carrying FM radios, the high-tech gadgets of their day.

A lot has changed since then. New airliners are far more reliant on electrical systems than previous generations of aircraft, but they are also designed and approved by the FAA to be resistant to electronic interference. Airlines are already offering Wi-Fi use at cruising altitudes on planes modified to be more resistant to interference.

The vast majority of airliners should qualify for greater electronic device use under the new guidelines, Huerta said. In rare instances of landings during severe weather with low visibility, pilots may still order passengers to turn off devices because there is some evidence of potential interference with instrument landing systems under those conditions, he said.

Today's electronic devices generally emit much lower power radio transmissions than previous generations of devices. E-readers, for example, emit only minimal transmissions when turning a page. But transmissions are stronger when devices are downloading or sending data.

Among those pressing for a relaxation of restrictions on passengers' use of the devices has been Amazon.com. In 2011, company officials loaded an airliner full of their Kindle e-readers and flew it around to test for problems but found none.

A travel industry group welcomed the changes, calling them common-sense accommodations for a traveling public now bristling with technology. "We're pleased the FAA recognizes that an enjoyable passenger experience is not incompatible with safety and security," said Roger Dow, CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.

Planning to come to New York for the holidays? You might want to push back your dates a week or two, as more than a dozen central Manhattan hotels will offer rooms for $100 a night as part of "Hotel Week 2014." The promotion covers rooms booked for stays between January 3-12, 2014.

What's the catch? Well, there really isn't one. This post-holiday period is historically a very slow one for the city's tourism industry, as visitors get back to work and recover from holiday expenses. The "Hotel Week" initiative aims to lure tourists to town with 30 participating hotels offering rooms at $100, $200 or $300 per night.

But wait, some of these hotels would already be pretty cheap in early January. So which ones are offering the best deal at $100 a night? We tested them out with non-sale rates today—you can see the results here.

There are plenty of fake goods – glitzy name brand products worn by the not-to secure person, but what's the harm? Plenty, says Craig Crosby, founder of the consumer protection website The Counterfeit Report®

(www.theCounterfeitReport.com). An avalanche of visually deceptive counterfeit products is a funding a global criminal enterprise that will soon exceed $1.5 trillion. "More than likely, it's going to finance some other illicit activity, whether it be terrorism, human trafficking, drugs or some such," says Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") supervisor Bryan Nahodil. Counterfeiting is hard to prosecute, profitable and easily distributed through internet resources, eBay, Amazon, Craig's List, retail websites and local stores.

That counterfeit Rolex watch or designer handbag slung casually over the shoulder now represents only a fraction of an estimated 750,000 lost American jobs, and a cost to US businesses over $250 Billion annually. Illegal counterfeiting is a successful global criminal enterprise; profitable, difficult to track, un-taxed and widely un-punished. While consumer awareness is only part of the global solution, counterfeited products are now so visually deceptive consumers often unknowingly purchase hazardous or deadly products. "It's the consumer who ultimately gets hurt" says Crosby.

Could you identify these counterfeit products? They are all actual counterfeit products.

Organized crime has grown counterfeiting into a virtual global ATM for the bad guys, and is funding gangs, criminal activity, human trafficking, and even terrorists says a World Trade Organization report. Counterfeited products are not victimless crimes, but an organized, highly profitable criminal enterprise with sometimes deadly results.

While price and quality were usually an indication that products were counterfeit and most consumers still believe they can identify a fake, "that is simply not true" says Crosby. "Consumers looking for a bargain are handing over good money for bad products at prices near retail believing they are purchasing the real thing." These products, while visually almost identical to the authentic item, are poor quality and usually fail after being given as gifts or put into use.

Think you can spot a counterfeit? "Probably not" says Crosby who reviews hundreds of counterfeit products. "Serious problems and hazards await unsuspecting consumers who unknowingly use counterfeit products every day that are widely distributed via the internet, swap meets and retail stores. Examples include counterfeit auto air bags, fire extinguishers, medications, electronic components, power equipment and alcohol.

The Counterfeit Report website features over 200 global brands and a wide variety of counterfeit products accompanied by hundreds of product photos to educate and help consumersvisually identify the fakes. "If it's manufactured, it's probably been counterfeited and will likely fool you." says Crosby.

The distribution process is the same and simple; consumers shopping for "a good internet deal" see website listings displaying the manufacturer's (stock) advertising product photo of authentic everyday products; fragrances, phone chargers, sporting goods, batteries and much, much more. However, what the consumer often receives is an expertly crafted counterfeit; specifically designed, manufactured and packaged to deceive them -- and they are.

Counterfeit products are also purchased specifically to be substituted for locally purchased authentic products and then returned to retailers for a refund. The barcodes scan correctly, and when accompanied by a receipt and still sealed, may go un-noticed by untrained sales staff. The undetected counterfeit is returned to store inventory and sold to an unsuspecting consumer. Crosby occasionally presents counterfeit products to retail employees who are often astonished at the appearance and visual quality of many counterfeit items, yet the retailers usually note the comparative quality differences with side-by-side-comparisons.

The Counterfeit Report® is the first and only website to provide consumers a free and informative visual guide to detecting counterfeit products, while providing manufacturers with brand protection and direct consumer education. The Counterfeit Report uses photos to show consumers the sophistication of counterfeiters and their ability to create visually identical counterfeit products and packaging of products consumers would never suspect are counterfeited. Consumers can report seeing or purchasing counterfeit products directly to the manufacturer on the website, while manufacturers have an immediate resource to list and update their counterfeit product information in a central venue for the greatest audience exposure.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Line-Up Includes Award-Winning Entertainers, Historians, Destination Experts, Authors and More

SeabournSojourn's 2014 world cruise will host a stellar line-up of distinguished celebrities, guest entertainers and lecturers, taking part in the line's "Seabourn Conversations" program of onboard enrichment and special guest entertainment. The featured guest speakers and celebrities include Tony Award-winning Broadway star Patti LuPone; former CIA operative Tony Mendez, whose heroic exploits inspired the Academy Award-winning film "Argo"; and Dennis Conner, an American yachtsman and four-time America's Cup winner. Seabourn Sojourn's 116-day world cruise begins January 4, 2014 at Los Angeles and ends in Venice, Italy on May 1, 2014.

From historians and scientists to authors, destination and maritime experts, the exciting luminaries will share their stories, expert opinions and valuable insights to guests throughout the once-in-a-lifetime voyage. In addition, they will experience the journey along with guests, sharing meals, adventures ashore and casual chats throughout the voyage.

"Our guest speakers are as intriguing and worldly as the destinations we will visit during the world cruise," said John Delaney, Seabourn's senior vice president, marketing and sales. "Not only will they entertain and delight our guests with their talent, expertise and knowledge, they will also be a part of the daily social scene, enhancing our guests' experience."

In addition to the "Celebrity Conversations" with LuPone, Mendez and Conner, Seabourn Sojourn's world cruise will feature "Arts Conversations" with David Smith, photographer and travel writer; "Culinary Conversations" with Andrew Fairlie, Scotland's only two-Michelin star chef; "Cultural & Destination Conversations" with Ronald Sampson, CBE, a former commander of the British Empire for Diplomatic Services, and Dr. Thomas Lippman, journalist and author specializing in Middle East affairs; and"Current Affairs and History Conversations" with Ralf Vargas and Daniel Silke, foreign policy experts. A list of currently scheduled Seabourn Conversations guest speakers can be viewed here.

Seabourn Sojourn's 116-day world cruise will visit 53 ports in 20 countries, encompassing destinations such as Hawaii, the South Pacific and Australia, Indonesia and Southeast Asia, India, Arabia and the Mediterranean. Rates for the full world cruise begin at $49,999 per person, based on double occupancy, including round trip air and a host of other complimentary amenities. For guests who cannot sail the entire voyage, shorter segments are available from 22 days, with cruise-only rates starting at $7,999 per person, based on double occupancy.

For more information or reservations about Seabourn Sojourn's 2014 world cruise, contact your travel advisor, or call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391, or visit www.seabourn.com.

# # #

Seabourn is consistently ranked among the world's top travel choices by professional critics and the discerning readers of prestigious travel publications such as Departures, Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler. Its stylish, distinctive cruising vacations are renowned for:

Open bars throughout the ship and fine wines poured with lunch and dinner

Seabourn is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. The exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line and Costa Cruises. Seabourn is a brand of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL and NYSE: CUK), and supports the Ocean Conservation & Tourism Alliance, dedicated to education and promotion of best practices for protecting the marine environment.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

For the 2013 holiday season Crabtree & Evelyn introduces its Verbena and Lavender de Provence Bath & Body Collection, appropriate for both men and women. This luxurious line with the highest quality essential oils evoking the French countryside is very affordable Some of the selections include Spray Cologne ( 100 ml/3.4 fl oz ) at $47, Bath and Body Shower Gel (250 ml/8.5 fl oz) at $20, and Body Lotion (250ml/8.5 oz) at $22. For more details please visit: www.crabtree-evelyn.com .

Cool-Jams Wicking Sleepwear can help to assure a comfortable night by regulating body temperature drawing heat away from the body so you will not be too hot or cold. Great for both home and travel since soft, quick drying, light weight, compact,wrinkle resistant, and antibacterial. Available for both men and women. For more details please visit: www.cool-jams.com .

When on-the-go a common problem is keeping our mobile devices charged. Jackery offers a full line of
portable charging devices. We are currently using the Giant that is designed to provide up to 220 extra
operational time. Featured are 2 USB ports and standby time up to 6 months. For more details please visit:
www.jackeryusa.com .

For those seeking to capture and share your adventures Vivitar now offers their DVR 787HD Action Camera that captures full 1080p HD videos. Included are waterproof case, mounts for bike and helmet,
and remote. For more details please visit: www.vivitar.com .

One of the emerging trends we've been following is the development of small entrepreneurial companies offering hand crafted organic sustainable products, also giving back to the community. One of these companies is Soaps To Live By offering wonderful scented soaps handcrafted in the USA using organic
ingredients and beneficial essential oils. Imprinted on each bar are positive statements; Examples are Peace on our Shea Honey bar, Dream on our Peppermint Rosemary bar, and Laugh on our Lemongrass Sage bar. The company is also planting a tree for every bar sold through its partnership with trees for the Future. For
more details please visit: www.soapstoliveby.com .

Another offering from a small entrepreneurial company called Pretty Peacock is a 'must have' fashion accessory for women this year, a stacked bracelet set. Their Stacks of Soul Bracelet is composed of
6 metal bracelets; a rhinestone bracelet, a 24k lotus charm, and a charm with motivational/inspirational
text. For more details please visit www.prettypeacock.com .

A recommended personal grooming tool is the Microtouch Switchblade for both reaching hard to reach odd hairs and a quick clean up when on-the-go and time does not allow a visit to your stylist. We found the unit
gentle and precise and plan to include it on our travels. For more details please visit www.Getswitchblade.com . For a limited time, available with on-line and phone orders, is a complementary
10 piece travel and grooming kit.

A push over the past decade by carriers to expand higher-fare sections has shrunk the area devoted to coach on many big jetliners. But airlines don't want to drop passengers. So first airlines slimmed seats to add more rows.

Now, big carriers including AMR Corp.'s American Airlines, Air Canada, Air France-KLMSA and Dubai's Emirates Airline are cutting shoulder space by wedging an extra seat into each coach row. That shift is bringing the short-haul standard to long-haul flying.

For almost 20 years, the standard setup in the back of a Boeing 777 was nine seats per row. But last year, nearly 70% of its biggest version of the plane were delivered with 10-abreast seating, up from just 15% in 2010.

777 Economy 10-abreast seating BOEING

The new trend in economy seating reverses a half century of seat growth in economy class. Early jet planes like Boeing's 707 had 17-inch seats, a dimension based on the width of a U.S. Air Force pilot's hips, saysAirbusmarketing chief Chris Emerson.Of the airlines that have bought Boeing Co.'s new 787 Dreamliner—a model touted as improving passenger comfort—90% have selected nine-abreast seating in coach over roomy eight-abreast. And 10 airlines around the world now fly narrower AirbusA330 jetliners with nine 16.7-inch seats in each row—among the tightest flying—rather than the eight it was designed for, according to the unit of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co.

That standard for long-haul flying increased to 18-inches in the 1970s and 1980s with the 747 jumbo and the first Airbus jets. It widened to 18.5 inches with the Boeing 777 in the 1990s and A380 superjumbo in the 2000s. Now, cost-conscious airlines are moving to lighter 17-inch-wide seats on their Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliners and 18-inch seats for A350s.

This doesn't sit well with many travelers, particularly those who are large or overweight. Arm rests and aisles are also getting slimmed to wedge in the extra seat, meaning more elbows get bumped. And while seats are now being designed more ergonomically, with better cushions and head rests, the improvements don't stop people from rubbing shoulders.

"I felt that I was kind of stuck in the seat" of an Emirates 777, said Ben Goodwin, a marketing manager at Birmingham University in England, who recently flew to China through Dubai. On his connecting flight, an Emirates Airbus A380, the seats were one inch wider. "I felt like I'd been upgraded, even though I was still in economy," he said.

The squeeze can help cash-squeezed airlines. Air France recently expanded the premium sections on its 777s while cutting the floor space in economy class. Yet the carrier kept the number of economy seats constant by switching from nine- to 10-abreast in the back, a spokesman said.

"On a 777, ten-abreast is the way to go," said Emirates President Tim Clark. "You'd be nuts to do it any other way."

Pressure in economy cabins also lets airlines upsell coach passengers. Air New Zealand Ltd. flies 10-abreast 777s on which fliers can book three economy seats that convert into a couch by raising the arm and leg rests.

Passengers aren't happy facing decreased shoulder room, more frequent bumps from service carts in narrower aisles and less overall comfort, said Andrew Wong, regional director of travel website TripAdvisor LLC in Singapore. Based on feedback to the company's SeatGuru website, he said, fliers "are becoming aware of increased seating abreast—particularly for the 777."

Plane makers deflect criticism, noting that seat width is up to airlines. Boeing designs its jets for airlines to do "whatever they want to do inside the cabin," said Mike Bair, Boeing senior vice president of marketing. Boeing designers focus on "creature comfort that can't be violated by the airlines," like bigger windows, larger overhead bins and mood lighting on every jet, he said.

"We are mindful that we serve a wide range of customer types and our aircraft need to be configured accordingly," said senior vice president of marketing and loyalty for United-Continental Holdings Inc., Tom O'Toole, who says the airline brings in real people of all shapes and sizes to help test and select its seats.Airlines and airplane makers are aware that passenger hips and waist lines aren't shrinking along with the seats dimensions.

But United says seat width isn't the sole focus of passenger comfort. The airline's nine-abreast Dreamliner cabin has received higher marks for passenger satisfaction—49% higher than the average rating of its other long-haul jets, owing to the higher overall marks for the 787's new cabin features, he said.

Airbus is publicly siding with coach fliers by running ads touting the width of its traditional economy-class seats. The tagline: "Personal space isn't any less personal on a 12-hour long-haul flight."

But the European plane maker, like Boeing, is also helping airlines cram more seats in the back of its planes.

When Airbus introduced its two-deck A380 superjumbo a decade ago, it boasted that the lower deck was 12 inches wider than a Boeing 747 jumbo jet but would offer the same 10-abreast seating, giving each passenger up to 19 inches of hip space. Now Emirates and some other A380 operators aim to put 11 seats across, at about 17.2 inches each, the same standard used for smaller jets like Boeing's 737.

"We've tried it," said Mr. Clark. "It works."

Airbus officials say they don't promote the configuration for intercontinental flights. "On long haul, we believe it needs to be a minimum of 18 inches," said Airbus's Mr. Emerson. "If it's a regional flight, we can accommodate one more seat abreast."

Mr. Emerson said seats on an Airbus superjumbo at 11 abreast are about the same width as a Boeing 777 at 10 abreast.

But the packed A380 would have an extra drawback because the center bank of seats, between the two aisles, would be five abreast: In every row, both of the window seats and the center seat would be two seats from the aisle, an arrangement known to frequent fliers as the 'double excuse-me.' That means three passengers in each row could face "this horrendous position of having to cross two people to reach the aisle," said Mr. Wong at Trip Advisor.

Airbus, like Boeing, is making high-density seating easier. On the new Airbus A350 model, now in development, the company is proposing either nine-abreast seating or 10-abreast.

Airbus dubbed the model "XWB" for extra-wide body, because the A350 is wider than its A330 and Boeing's Dreamliner. But Boeing officials note that Airbus is proposing to put the same number of passengers in each row of an A350 as Boeing traditionally put in rows of a 747 jumbo jet—inside a cabin roughly 21 inches narrower.

Boeing's future 777 promises some relief. The proposed 777X's cabin will be 4 inches wider than current versions, giving almost half an inch more per seat at 10 across. But that space won't arrive until about 2020.

The solution, said Mr. Clark at Emirates, is to offer distractions like big meals, frequent snacks and lots of electronic entertainment. Mr. Goodwin, the Emirates passenger from Birmingham, said attentive service did distract him from the seating.

"With food and TV," said Mr. Clark at Emirates, "people are mesmerized."

A deep-rooted network of international hosts who share their stately homes with paying guests is at the core of Culture Xplorers’ travel experiences whose forte is fostering meaningful engagements with local cultures.

“When you admire needlepoint on an antique chair and portraits of ancestors and landscapes on the walls, suddenly doors open to conversations with the hosts. Through their stories they transport you into their worlds and life experience,” explained Jim Kane, founder/owner of Culture Xplorers (http://www.culturexplorers.com/).

Following are six favorite residences that Kane accesses and shares with his travel clients.

Visconde de Chanceleiros (Douro Valley, Portugal): Ursula and Kurt Bocking fell in love with the Douro Valley in the 1980s where they bought a manor house sorely in need of repairs but with great bones. Casa do Visconde de Chanceleiros looks over terraced vineyards down to the Douro River. Twenty-five years of love and labor later, Chanceleiros is what Kane calls “a dream B&B for the handful of travelers fortunate enough to stay in one of its 10 rooms.” Gardens, a pool and miles of walking trails leading through vineyards add to the allure, as do home-cooked dinners paired with Douro wines. Experienced on Northern Portugal trips:http://www.culturexplorers.com/destinations/northern-portugal

Iriarte Jauregia (Bidania, N. Spain): This is a 17th century country palace in the heart of Basque Country completely restored in 2009 to 19 elegant rooms with antique furniture, art and such dramatic elements as original wooden beams, stone, glass and iron. Experienced on Culture Xplorers' Basque Country Bonds and Family Basque Adventures -http://www.culturexplorers.com/destinations/northern-spain

Hotel Cirilo (Antigua, Guatemala): Ricardo Recinos, owner, innkeeper and breakfast chef, along with his partner Giovanni Passarelli built this homey, seven-room lodge around the ruins of an 18th century church whose crumbling walls lend a mystical ambiance to a secluded courtyard. The colonial center is a 15-minute walk away. Culture Xplorers guests may experience this gem on Guatemala Up Close trips -http://www.culturexplorers.com/destinations/guatemala

Hacienda Molinos (Salta, Argentina): Set in the quaint Andean town of Molinos in the magical Valles Calchaquíes in NW Argentina, Nicolas Cossio runs this storied 18-room hacienda dating to the 18th century when it was home to the last Spanish appointed Governor of Salta. Nicholas often accompanies riders out on horseback into the countryside and upon request his wife prepares simple, delicious home-style dinners accompanied by regional wines. This lodging can be experienced on Argentina True North trips -http://www.culturexplorers.com/destinations/northernargentina

Guayaba Inn (San Cristobal, Mexico): Kiki and Gabriel Suarez, local gallery and restaurant owners in San Cristóbal de las Casas, created this newly restored and redesigned six-room inn from a traditional San Cristóbal home, surrounded by a tranquil stone patio and private gardens bursting with orchids and bromeliads. Most Culture Xplorers itineraries to Chiapas, Mexico include this inn -http://www.culturexplorers.com/destinations/chiapas-mexico

Hotel B (Lima, Peru): Lima’s Barranco district is a bohemian neighborhood with galleries, cafés and eclectic restaurants spilling onto tree-lined streets. In the early 1900's it was a favorite summer residence for Lima's wealthy elite, many of whom built summer homes here to be close to the beach. Formerly a private mansion that had fallen into a shocking state of disrepair, the Arts Boutique Hotel B was rescued by its current owners and re-imagined as Lima's first true boutique residence. Guests of this 17-suite registered historic landmark feel they have landed an invitation to the home of a wealthy art collector and socialite. Enjoy the history and amenities on Peru Up-Close trips -http://www.culturexplorers.com/destinations/peru

About Culture Xplorers
Culture Xplorers (http://www.culturexplorers.com/), a leader in sustainable travel, offers handcrafted journeys that deepen understanding and foster connection between travelers and local communities around the world.

Culture Xplorers trips are created from the ground up, built on three founding pillars: people, traditions and impact. Their travelers meet the people of the places they visit, engaging in the living traditions that make each destination unique, and in doing so, create a lasting, positive impact through tourism. Genuine connections with people and place are formed farm-to-fork and around the table, via participation in local celebrations and through authentic exchange with community leaders and members.

Countries where cultural exchanges are fostered are Peru, Guatemala, Argentina, Mexico, Spain, Portugal and Cuba. The Culture Xplorers Foundation was founded in 2007 to help foster the sustainability of local culture in at risk communities worldwide. Its positive impact partnerships focus on sustaining endangered traditions, strengthening education, fostering community-based travel and breaking the cycle of poverty through the support of comprehensive micro-loan and education programs. See: http://www.cxfoundation.org/

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

- Holiday travelers don't need to wait for Black Friday to get a great deal on a room from Hotels.com this holiday season. Christmas came early when CouponPal.com announced an exclusive 10% off coupon code for Hotels.com good for travel from now until the new year.

The Hotels.com discount code allows users to save up to 10% on bookings made at select hotels from now until December 31, 2013. Bookings must be made by November 11, 2013, over two weeks before Black Friday – so you must act fast to save using this exclusive promotion.

A recent report by AAA found that nearly 94 million people will be traveling this holiday season. Of people traveling, 85% of people rank the value for money as the top consideration for choosing a hotel, regardless of household income. That should come as no surprise.

AAA's forecast indicates that the average American will spend $759 on holiday travel with accommodation accounting for 17% of total costs – just over $129. Compared to other costs including transportation, food and beverage, shopping, and entertainment, lodging shows the greatest increase in expense compared to just one year ago.

That adds up to a huge opportunity to save. In fact, if just 1 out of 12 of people traveling this holiday season were to save 10% using this exclusive Hotels.com coupon code to reserve their accommodations, Americans would save a total of over $100 million!

"We're just happy to be able to help make this holiday season a little more affordable," explains CouponPal.com founder Scott Elling. "Whether you're taking the family on vacation or having all the in-laws to town, finding a place to stay shouldn't put a burden on your holiday budget. We hope that our partnership with Hotels.com helps families save and allows them to spend money on what makes the holidays such a magical time of year."

CouponPal reports that this exclusive 10% off coupon is the best online deal currently available for Hotels.com. Book now through November 11, 2013 to reserve your stay and get a great deal.

About CouponPal:

CouponPal.com partners with the biggest online retailers to give visitors free access to money-saving coupon codes and deals to use online. So far, the team at CouponPal.com has saved its users over $5 million since launching in September of 2010 by giving their fans opportunities to cut the cost on everything from travel to computers. Follow CouponPal online on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and at CouponPal.com

Hotels.com gives users the ability to book rooms at over 220,000 hotels spread across more than 60 countries worldwide. The site features more than 7 million customer reviews from guests who have actually stayed in hotels, and all reservations come backed by a Price Match Guarantee ensuring that customers get the lowest price available. Learn more at Hotels.com.

Monday, October 21, 2013

GreenSpot.Travel (www.GreenSpot.travel), celebrating 30 years of travel in Costa Rica and seven years as a Condé Nast Travelermagazine Top Travel Specialist, sifted through the myriad activities available to travelers to this Central American country to create the Seven Life-Altering Nature, Culture and Adventure Activities in Costa Rica.As a leading provider of fully custom, green vacations to Costa Rica, GeenSpot.Travel is constantly on the lookout for both new adrenaline-pumping adventure experiences and in-depth interactions with local people within their communities. Says the company’s co-founder, Irene Edwards, “We spend months every year working with local community members to make it possible for travelers to experience true Costa Rican culture, my culture.”The results of the very unscientific survey of GreenSpot.Travel travelers and the company’s own experience brought about the following list. A few of the activities are only possible at certain times of the year due to weather and tides. Most anyone can take part in all of the experiences, though as every nature-oriented traveler knows, there are no guarantees when it comes to wildlife!

Jump Out of Your Boots the First Time You Hear the Ear-Pounding Call of a Howler Monkey on a Hike in the Rainforest

The pristine Corcovado National Park with its old growth rain forest is located on the remote Osa Peninsula, boasting some of the most abundant wildlife populations in the country (including howler monkeys). It is GreenSpot.Travel’s most frequently recommended destination in Central America for travelers focused on immersion into nature, while staying in the eco-luxe comfort of boutique lodges.

Smile Like a School Kid as You Stand Up on a Surfboard for the First Time

A variety of beach breaks and conditions allow Costa Rica to make every surfer happy, form world champions to those aspiring to get started. Lessons are available in a number of fun coastal areas from knowledgeable and colorful instructors, many of whom offer a money back guarantee that you’ll stand up on your very first lesson.

Reach Peace with the Power of the Oceanin Search of Dolphins, Whales, Stingrays, Barracudas and Giant Sea Turtles Snorkeling the Reef of Caño Island

Just off the southwest coast of Costa Rica, you’ll find Caño Island. Its waters are unquestionably some of the best in the country for snorkelers and divers seeking marine life and gorgeous underwater scenery.

Keep Your Heart in Your Chest While Rafting Down the Narrow, Winding Class IV Rapids of the Pacuare River Canyon

Twists and turns, plunging waterfalls and soaring cliffs rising straight up out of the water characterize the difference between descending the larger rivers of North America and the tighter rugged jungle-cloaked terrain of a rafting trip in Costa Rica.

Scream and Shout at the Top of Your Lungs While Ziplining past the active Arenal Volcano

If you’ve reached this point on the list and haven’t yet screamed or shouted, flying over half a mile through the air over the rain forest canopy with the grumbling Arenal Volcano in the background, all the while harnessed onto what at the time seems like an impossibly thin metal cable should do the trick!

Eat a Little Too Much of a Home-cooked Meal with a Local Señora, Followed by a Nap in a Hammock with the Afternoon Rain Pounding on the Thatched Roof

Consult with Richard Edwards, GreenSpot.Travel co-founder and official Head Hammock Tester, if you need further instruction on the finer points of reaping all the benefits from this activity.

Stay Up Insanely Late to Catch a Glimpse of Baby Hatchling Sea Turtles Scampering into the Surf on the Caribbean Coast

Staying up late to quietly observe as many as 60 to 100 baby sea turtle digging their way out their nest in the sand and inexplicably flapping their way down the beach to the surf is as emotional as a wildlife encounter can be for even the most seasoned nature traveler.About GreenSpot.com TravelGreenSpot.Travel specializes in planning custom luxury vacations and adventures in Costa Rica and neighboring Central American countries. The company has been recognized and named by Conde Nast Traveler magazine as a world’s Top Travel Specialist for Costa Rica and Green Travel from 2006 to the present.GreenSpot.Travel believes the best green vacations in Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, or Nicaragua should be carefully planned and orchestrated directly with each client on a custom-designed basis. A vacation should be memorable, luxurious, adventurous, and embrace the spirit and nature of one’s destination. Green travel can be just that when it seamlessly connects a traveler to new places and its people in spontaneous and memorable ways. GreenSpot.Travel distinguishes itself from other specialized travel planners in these special ways:

GreenSpot.Travel’s lifetime of connections and personal ties to its destinations allow for meaningful experiences and positive contributions to the communities and places visited.

Since inception GreenSpot.Travel has supported efforts to protect native species and virgin rainforest in private nature preserves maintained by local partners.

Its carefully selected hotels and lodges contribute to conservation, use renewable energy and locally-sourced foods in their restaurants, and are continually looking to minimize environmental footprints.

Ownership and staff at all lodges are local residents with strong community ties, integrated with the area's economy and culture.

A portion of GreenSpot.Travel profits are invested in destination communities through grants to help grow small businesses and fund community development projects.

About Me

I (Allen Barkus) am the publisher of the Travelore Report newsletter, published monthly in print since 1971, with an 80,000 monthly paid circulation. This blog has also become one of the influential travel blogs in the industry with almost 175,000 views monthly. Our focus is on upscale value-added travel and travel related products and services worldwide. Since our lead time to print is typically at least three months, this blog allows us to keep our worldwide press contacts, paid subscribers @$68/yearly and general public aware of our editorial focus. Only paid subscribers get all of our detailed Destination Reports.
The Travelore Report is a publication of the Ted Barkus Company, ranked as one of the leading independent advertising and marketing communications companies in the U.S. by Advertising Age Magazine.
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